SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION AGREEMENT

Please complete the production details, and commit to as many checkpoints as possible, ideally at bid stage. Not all checkpoints will be feasible, depending on whether you're shooting on location or in a studio, or even abroad. You should also provide an update for the agency and client at the PPM - there is a template Keynote slide here.

Clicking the button at the end of the form will send a copy to yourself, your head of production, the agency producer, and also to AdGreen, to help us monitor and support what's being pledged by productions. This email version can also be forwarded to your production team, heads of department and suppliers, to help communicate what is expected of them. If you have a query about this form please email us. If you'd like to feedback on the form, click here.

1. REDUCE YOUR PRINTING

Production to run a paperless office with regards to accounting and job folders, and encourage e-processes with suppliers too (e.g. casting)

Production to avoid printing budgets, treatments or PPM books, annotating pdfs where necessary

All departments to restrict printing to essential items, using FSC certified paper with at least 30% recycled content (aim for 100%), printing double sided and B&W

For technical recces, all attendees to view documents on tablets/laptops

For shoots, production to print only A3 copies of the call sheet, schedule, storyboards and script to display on agency/client and crew noticeboards, and anything else on request (movement orders should be digital only)

If the client requires NDA documents, these are to be signed digitally and emailed to the agency. The same applies to any other contracts and forms, such as cast agreements, release forms and the PIBs

Continuity, camera and sound reports to be delivered in digital formats

HELP WITH THESE:Go Paperless page with tips on digi-signing, HMRC advice and moreFAQ with info about how not printing impacts on insuranceCall sheet text to warn attendees there will be no individual printingSample PPM Book slide to help talk through your sustainable production commitmentsCase studies implementing paperless points

2. DITCH POLYSTYRENE & CORREX

Polystyrene takes hundreds of years to degrade, and never goes away completely. We would recommend cutting it out of the following departments altogether:

Catering to use real plates/bowls/glasses/mugs or certified compostable disposables such as Vegware (and real cutlery!)

Lighting to use polystyrene alternatives such as plant based ‘poly’ or traditional flagging and highlighting

AD Dept to use noticeboards, drapes or walls to display large copies of call sheets, schedules etc

Art Dept to seek alternative materials/methods if polycarving is to be considered in set building/prop making - and highlight costs in budget

Correx is another environmentally unfriendly product used in our industry, which is very rarely recycled as there is very little call for the raw material:

3. REDUCE PLASTICS (INC WATER BOTTLES) & DISPOSABLE CUPS

Plastic waste is reaching every corner of the earth - including contaminating our drinking water and food supplies. Aim to cut out as much as possible, starting with plastic water bottles - this will also reduce your waste bill. Many disposable coffee cups are also non-recyclable, so request mugs where you can.

Production/location dept/studio to provide tabletop water coolers, and attendees requested via the call sheet to bring and refill their own bottle. Glasses or mugs should be provided for those who forget to bring one - or Vegware cups as a last resort

Attendees requested to bring a reusable coffee cup or at the very least, reuse their Vegware cup

Caterer requested not to provide straws, they are unnecessary bits of plastic

Caterer requested to provide sauces, sugar, coffee etc in bottles/bulk containers rather than in individual sachets

Production to stock reusable shopping bags in the production kit, and discourage all departments from using anything but canvas bags or bags for life

4. REHOME YOUR LEFTOVERS TO REDUCE YOUR WASTE

Consider where every purchased item will go after the shoot. If it can't be returned, reused or rehomed do you really need it?

Art dept, costume and makeup depts to hire rather than purchase in the first instance (including keep warm items, robes and towels). If purchases are required, make every attempt to acquire them from a sustainable source

Wardrobe and prop items to be rehomed if they cannot be returned (or request they be stored by the agency for any further shoots for the same brand)

Electrical consumables are to be reduced as much as possible, and croc clips and gel offcuts should be returned and reused

If a coffee machine it to be provided, consider one using filters rather than a Nespresso machine/similar, and if it's Nespresso/similar, coffee pods must be collected and recycled, or compostable pods used (e.g. Percol) and put into a compost/food waste collection

Production to re-use one hard drive for the rushes backup as long as it has been appropriately cleaned

Camera and sound depts to use rechargeable batteries if mains power is not an option

Camera and sound depts to recycle non-rechargeable batteries

Production to collect and send ink cartridges, printer toner, waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) including broken hard drives, and film ends (which can be sent for silver reclamation) to appropriate reuse/recycling schemes

Food styling to avoid over ordering of food items and allow for donation of edible food items to charity

5. RECYCLE AND COMPOST GENERAL SHOOT WASTE

Businesses in the UK are legally required to adopt the waste hierarchy, meaning after reducing, reusing and rehoming, as much leftover waste as possible must be recycled and composted. We have made these points a compulsory part of the agreement.

-> Production/location dept/studio to contract a registered waste collection company and provide appropriate signage for bins to enable as much recycling and food composting as possible in the studio, on location and in any production offices, workshops and trailers (including any prep, pre-light, strike and wrap days)

-> All depts, especially art dept to ensure that hazardous waste is handled correctly and disposed of responsibly - this includes but is not limited to certain paints, adhesives, solvents, cleaning fluids, treated wood, oils and fuels

-> Ensure wildlife and their habitats are not disturbed or harmed by illegal dumping of waste

-> Keep water clean by making every effort to ensure water ways are not polluted, including providing enough toilet facilities

ADDITIONAL CHECKPOINTS

Go the extra mile by adopting some of the following points into your shoot. We can support you in making these changes, just get in touch if you need help.

SWITCHING TO RENEWABLE ENERGYProduction to source office electricity from a renewable energy supplier

Studios to source electricity from a renewable energy supplier

Post-production suppliers to source electricity from a renewable energy supplier

REDUCING EMISSIONS FROM FACILITIESElectrical dept to avoid the use of generators where possible, or attempt to source generators which use a proportion of fuel from renewable sources, such as bio-diesel, solar or natural gas

Electrical dept to consider low energy lighting options which cut down on energy consumption and can also eliminate the need for consumable gels

Production/location dept to source solar-powered honey wagons, and other facilities powered by renewables

All attendees to conserve energy and save money by practicing efficient heating and cooling on set – turning off any heating before resorting to air conditioning and vice versa, and switch off any equipment during shooting breaks

REDUCING EMISSIONS FROM TRANSPORTProduction to consider trains before planes at bid stage

Production/DP to consider drones instead of helicopters at bid stage

Production to use a hybrid or electric taxi and courier service

Production to encourage public transport use for directors (particularly if they are from out of town)

Production to use local crew to reduce transport and accommodation emissions when shooting outside of main production hubs

For those not driving tech vehicles to the shoot, public transport should be taken where possible

All attendees to refrain from idling their vehicles as it contributes to localised air pollution and is subject to on the spot fines in some London boroughs

Production to offset flights taken during the project (flights for foreign HODs to be offset at production's own cost)

MOVING TO PLANT BASED DIETSCaterer to cater ‘Meat Free Monday’ if the shoot falls on a Monday

Caterer to offer 50/50 vegetarian/meat options (if it's not a Monday) with an emphasis on seasonal, sustainable, Fairtrade, local and palm oil free products, and avoiding beef products altogether. There should be a vegan option within the vegetarian offerings

REDUCING USE OF NON ECO-FRIENDLY MATERIALSArt dept to source environmentally friendly options for effects such as snow, dust and smoke, and avoid wet downs

SUSTAINABLE BEHAVIOURS ON SCREEN

Finally, could this production help encourage sustainable behaviours? Could you show electric cars on the street? Solar panels on the roof? A recycling bin in the kitchen? Someone holding a reusable coffee cup? More ideas here... make a note of anything you could discuss with the agency.

This will send a copy to yourself as well as the agency TV Producer, your Head of Production, and AdGreen HQ to help us monitor and support what's being pledged by productions.